University of Florida scientists will elevate their efforts to control citrus greening, with about $5 million in grants from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
NIFA, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, split funding into five grants.
UF/IFAS researchers are looking for ways to manage greening, known scientifically as Huanglongbing or HLB. Greening is caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, or CLas. The Asian citrus psyllid can transmit (“vector,” in scientific terms) CLas into a citrus tree, and CLas can eventually become HLB.
“These five funded projects illustrate the breadth and depth of our world-class citrus research program,” said Robert Gilbert, UF interim senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, dean for UF/IFAS Research and director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station. “We need every tool in our toolbox to combat HLB in an integrated manner, and this USDA-NIFA funding will be extremely helpful to UF/IFAS and our stakeholders.”
The grants aim to accomplish numerous goals, including gene editing to develop HLB-resistant citrus varieties and integrated pest management (IPM) to help keep psyllids away from citrus trees.
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For more information: ifas.ufl.edu